The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has today (May 15) announced that Lucie Caswell will be its new CEO. The news comes alongside the announcement that Imogen Heap is to become the FAC’s first Artist in Residence alongside the Board of Directors.

Commenting on her appointment, Caswell said: “I am very excited to work with Imogen and the FAC, continuing the good work to date for artists, who are the beating heart and essential core of the music ecosystem. We have a lot to do but a believe this new structure will allow us to build on the successes, strength and impact we’ve achieved to date. We have an opportunity to make the music business a template for how sustainable, innovative and ethical business can be done. I hope to help make the business run in their name, one which artists feel proud of and secure within.”

Speaking about her appointment, Heap said: “This marks a fantastic new chapter for the organisation. We’re really looking forward to getting stuck in with Lucie as our new Chief Exec. On her appointment, I will be moving into the FAC's first Artist In Residence, Creative Executive Officer (AIR CEO) role; a position I’m very excited about. Together we can really shine as an organisation. Our diverse careers - Lucie’s nous and skills within the music industry, and my own 20 years’ worth of experience as an artist, is unique to the FAC. We truly believe that this means we can really empower the artist community in a huge and positive way - like never before.”

Leading names in the biz have praised the announcement as a significant one in the ongoing fight for artists’ voices to be heard.

Commenting on the appointments, Annabella Coldrick, CEO of the MMF, said: "I'm really looking forward to working closely with Lucie as Chief Executive of the FAC on our joint campaigns supporting music creatives. The MMF has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the FAC since its inception. There needs to be a strong artist’s voice in public policy discussions and the FAC provides this. Artists and managers travel many roads together and we are united in the fight for fairness, transparency and accountability throughout the value chain from artists to their audience."

Sandie Shaw, honorary president, FAC/ founding member, IAO, added: “This fabulously innovative new team leadership model illustrates our continuing commitment to the transformation of the music and technology sphere, by putting artists’ interests at its heart”.